EP40, Huggie, Bessie, Ronnie make their pre-season debut

Kent warned us about reading. About reading stuff into the pre-season games of this [TBD] season. He also told us to plan the parade if they win a preseason game. Now waiting for a call back from the brass band leaders around town.

With some Nucking heavy hitters on the front and back end for this season debut of the ROG, we could expect the game to start as is ROG tradition. Nucks getting out-worked, out-skated and out-scored 1-0 in the 1st.

And part of the 2nd when Seatown AHLers scored to lead 2-0. Much ruminating in the game thread about ol' Matty getting a shutoutie on us.

But Lekkerimäki, Kudryavtsev and Cootes' shin put that nightmare to bed. Nucks were coming back in the 2nd.

Nucks took over the game in the 3rd. Ronnie's rocket tied the game. Next, the earlier invisible player, DeBrusk got a dirty goal in tight and blue on the Nucks PP. Seatown finally pulled Matty - smart move - and Kane notched the EN.

Nucks win 4-2, outshooting the Kraks 18-4 in the 3rd. Seatown AHLers got kraked real good.

Nucks PP was looking much zippier than we've seen for some time. On their 1st PP of the game, in the 3rd, it was very zippy.

What was that, six shots on that power play? Eight?

Everything but score, there!

- Thursday

Game/Player Highlights

Tolo came in relief for Lanky in the 3rd and posted another 20 minute shutout.

More importantly... how was Pete? Which Pete? Oh that Pete... he looked good. Delivered some crushing hits and rag-dolled Kartye. Oh the other Petey... the expensive Petey. He looked pretty good. Got better as the game went on. Was fun to watch him and Huggie on PP1.

Quinn was into this pre-pre-playoff game. For over 24 minutes. He was breaking ankles and blowing some passes. Incredible to watch him on the PP. Seatown D would disagree.

Cootes was again looking like a young NHL-ready center. He and Lekky were great together.

Kane was getting some love from the ROG fans... and later the coach.

Kravtov didn't have a great game. Lost his man on the 1st GA. And lost position on the 2nd GA. Ah... youth. Joseph finished with a -2 and we could see Mancini back next game.

Local kid (older kid now) has finally made the Nucks. Tyson Barrie will be joining Canucks regional home broadcasts on Sportsnet for the 2025.26 season. He'll have fin at putting Murph into the pressbox boards.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Shortie and Dave back on the sportynet coverage.

GAME STATS

PLAYERS, COACH COMMENTING OUT LOUD

Cootes already giving veteran pressers.

Sherwood planning to make a bigger impact on the PK.

Adam Footey giving his calm, even assessment of the prospects and veteran rust.

Again we probably we can't read anything into it, but... WOOOO!

Nucks won't play Seatown again until Dec. 29th, which is just fine. But Dang! What a long pre-season.

The next mean nothing game is on Sunday in Edmonton. There's nothing we can say about that... that isn't mean.